Book review: 'Butterfly' explores insects' beauty, mystery

Nature photographer Thomas Marent of Switzerland has traveled the world to capture images of all kinds of creatures - as if composing a visual symphony of life on Earth.

Margaret Smith

Nature photographer Thomas Marent of Switzerland has traveled the world to capture images of all kinds of creatures -- as if composing a visual symphony of life on Earth.

In this dazzling collection, released by DK, publishers of acclaimed nature and science books, Marent reaches the inner life of butterflies and moths - voracious larvae, secretive pupae and poetic adults.

In Marent’s eyes, they are more than pleasant to look at, or helpful to gardeners - though they are both of these things, to be sure.

What shines through Marent’s work is the dignity and elegance of these insects in their struggles to soar - not only above natural predators but habitat loss, insecticides and other manmade hurdles.

Readers can get up close and personal not only with the intricacies of the allure of their colorful wings, but the loveliness of their faces and bodies.

Then there is the charm of caterpillars. In some photos, they appear to be looking straight at the camera, as if in a show of curiosity, or spiny bravado.

And why not: Adults and larvae alike have evolved sublime means of survival, such as mimicry – one caterpillar even takes on the form of unappetizing bird droppings.

But there’s no filter of human emotions clouding Marent’s work, although his love and respect is clear. His subjects are what they are, and he has found them, in their natural place, and brings the reader there – perhaps never to fully return.